Muhammadu Buhari, Nigeria’s former president who passed away in a London medical facility on Sunday at the age of 82, will be buried on Tuesday in his home state of Katsina, according to the state governor.
Buhari, who once led Nigeria as a military ruler in the 1980s, made a political comeback decades later, becoming the first Nigerian to defeat an incumbent president in a democratic election in 2015. He secured a second term in office in 2019.
On Monday, Vice President Kashim Shettima and other senior officials traveled to London to coordinate the return of Buhari’s remains. Following discussions with the former president’s family, Katsina Governor Dikko Umaru Radda confirmed that his body would arrive in Nigeria on Tuesday and be interred in Daura, his hometown.
Tributes have poured in from around the world. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Buhari’s dedication to strengthening ties between India and Nigeria, highlighting his warmth and wisdom in a message posted on social media.
Buhari was known for his strong anti-corruption stance and retained a loyal following, particularly in the predominantly Muslim north. He often described himself as a “converted democrat,” trading his military attire for traditional robes and prayer caps after transitioning to civilian leadership.
Ibrahim Babangida, the former military leader who overthrew Buhari in 1985, reflected on their complex relationship, describing him as a humble and deeply spiritual individual. “We may not have agreed on everything — as brothers often don’t — but I never once doubted his sincerity or his patriotism,” Babangida said.
After stepping down in 2023, Buhari largely retreated from public life, spending most of his time in Daura. His successor, President Bola Tinubu, took over amid severe economic challenges, including soaring inflation, a shortage of foreign currency, declining oil output, and widespread insecurity.
Supporters hailed Buhari as a moral figure in Nigerian politics, admired for his simple lifestyle and efforts to distance himself from the corruption often linked to the political elite. Detractors, however, criticized his leadership style, describing him as a distant figure who often delegated key responsibilities and spent extended periods abroad, particularly in London for medical treatment. A local publication described him as a leader whose absence left many Nigerians feeling abandoned.
